NNPC insiders dismiss bullying claims, describe Omotowa’s exit as routine corporate transition

By Our Correspondent

Claims of bullying and internal intimidation within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) have been dismissed by company sources and industry observers, who say reports linking such allegations to the recent resignation of Engr. Seyi Omotowa are speculative and not supported by verified information.

Engr. Omotowa, who recently stepped down as Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), has been the subject of public commentary suggesting internal discord within the organisation.

However, senior officials familiar with the development told this newspaper that his exit followed established corporate processes and aligns with common executive transitions in large organisations.

According to one senior official, NNPC Ltd operates within defined governance frameworks that emphasise performance evaluation, accountability, and structured decision-making.

The official noted that leadership changes are not unusual in complex institutions and are typically managed through formal procedures.

Further checks across departments indicate that differing professional opinions are addressed through institutional channels rather than personal confrontation.

Sources explained that debate and review are integral parts of decision-making in any major corporate environment and should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of internal conflict.

Industry analysts contacted by this newspaper also urged caution in drawing conclusions from executive changes, pointing out that senior-level transitions are a regular feature of the global energy sector and do not necessarily signal instability.

Independent inquiries by this publication did not uncover substantiated evidence to support claims of bullying or intimidation within NNPC Ltd.

Stakeholders described the organisation’s leadership structure as functional and focused on its strategic objectives.

Observers note that management attention remains directed towards core priorities such as energy security, production growth, infrastructure development, and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the company’s commercial operations and national value delivery. They warned that unverified narratives around routine corporate developments could distract from these objectives.

Overall, sources maintain that recent leadership changes reflect normal corporate evolution rather than internal turmoil, with NNPC Ltd continuing to pursue its transformation agenda through collaboration and established governance practices.